Louisiana Ignition Interlock Requirements (2026): Costs & Approved Providers
Louisiana requires an ignition interlock for any driver who wants to drive during a DWI suspension — on a first offense it’s the only way to get a restricted license, and on a second it’s mandatory. A BAC of 0.15% or higher triggers a longer suspension with the device required for the entire period. Income-qualifying drivers pay no more than 50% of vendor fees by statute.
| Offense term | DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) — Louisiana’s term for impaired driving |
| 1st offense (BAC under 0.15%) | IID required to drive during probation (at least 6 months); IID also required for a restricted license during the 12-month suspension |
| 1st offense (BAC 0.15%+) | 2-year suspension with IID required for the entire period |
| 1st offense (child 12 or younger) | IID mandatory for Submit/Refusal reinstatement (OMV) |
| 2nd offense (BAC under 0.15%) | IID mandatory during probation; 2-year suspension with restricted license after 45 days with IID |
| 2nd offense (BAC 0.15%+) | 4-year suspension with IID for the entire period |
| 3rd offense | 36-month suspension; restricted license after 1 year with IID; device stays until substance-abuse treatment and home incarceration completed |
| Violation — 1st occurrence | +1 month added to term (R.S. 32:378.2(O)) |
| Violation — 2nd or subsequent | +6 months added to term |
| Affordability program | 50% of vendor fees for qualifying drivers (R.S. 15:307.1) |
| OMV reinstatement fees | $100 (1st DWI), $200 (2nd), $300 (3rd+); Submit/Refusal compliance fee $50 |
| Who certifies devices | Louisiana State Police (LSP) Applied Technology Unit; OMV administers licenses — expresslane.la.gov |
| Governing law | La. R.S. 14:98; 14:98.1–98.3; R.S. 32:378.2; R.S. 32:414; R.S. 15:307.1 |
Do you need an interlock in Louisiana?
The IID is how you drive during a Louisiana DWI suspension. For a first offense, the court may order it as a probation condition, and it is the only way to obtain a restricted license during your 12-month suspension. For a first offense with BAC 0.15% or higher, the suspension is 2 years and the IID is required for all 2 years. For a second offense, the interlock is mandatory.
Early removal is not an option — the device must stay for the full required period. Only OMV/LSP-approved manufacturers may perform the uninstallation; removing the device yourself or with an unapproved party re-suspends your privileges immediately.
Louisiana LSP-certified providers
| Provider | Monthly est. | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intoxalock | $60–100 | Statewide | 888-283-5899 |
| Smart Start | $70–100 | Statewide | 800-831-3299 |
| LifeSafer | $65–95 | Statewide | 800-634-3077 |
| Guardian Interlock | $65–95 | Statewide | 800-499-0994 |
| RoadGuard (Dräger) | $65–95 | Statewide | 833-545-0368 |
| ALCOLOCK | $60–90 | Statewide | 866-700-9300 |
Verify LSP certification before signing. Louisiana’s official directory was temporarily unreadable. Confirm your provider is currently authorized through LSP or OMV. Monthly estimates are market ranges — affordability-program participants pay no more than 50% of vendor fees.
What an interlock costs in Louisiana
| Installation (one time) | $70–150 |
| Monthly lease + monitoring | $60–100 |
| Removal | $50–75 |
| OMV reinstatement fee (1st DWI) | $100 |
| Submit/Refusal compliance fee | $50 |
| Affordability program | 50% of vendor fees for qualifying drivers |
Over a minimum 6-month first-offense period, expect roughly $700–1,000 in device costs before OMV fees (or half with the affordability program). Estimate your exact cost →
How to get installed — 5 steps
- After your DWI conviction or suspension notice, contact OMV to apply for a restricted interlock license. If income-eligible, apply for the affordability program under R.S. 15:307.1 at the same time.
- Confirm LSP certification with any provider before signing — ask which specific device model they use and verify it with LSP Applied Technology.
- Schedule installation. Bring your vehicle and OMV paperwork. Installation takes 60–90 minutes.
- Pay OMV fees ($100 first-offense reinstatement + $50 Submit/Refusal compliance fee if applicable).
- Serve the full required period. Only LSP/OMV-approved manufacturers may uninstall — unauthorized removal re-suspends your privileges immediately.
Violations — tiered extensions
Louisiana uses a tiered violation system under R.S. 32:378.2(O):
- First compliance violation: +1 month added to your term
- Second or subsequent violation: +6 months added each time
Violations include tampering, missed maintenance appointments, and repeated failed tests. The second-violation penalty of 6 months is substantial — a single additional violation after your first can add half a year to your requirement. Unauthorized removal re-suspends your privileges immediately regardless of where you are in your term.